Volunteer Guide

1. Communication

Q: Can I use my phone in Uganda or buy a SIM card to use? Is internet available?

A: If you have an unlocked phone, you can use a local SIM card to access the mobile network. Internet is available via modem; guests can either purchase a personal modem or buy data to use in the available modem. Please be aware that Internet service in Uganda is not always reliable; see the Accommodations section for more details.Back to top

2. Accommodations

Q: Where will I stay and how much will it cost? Should I bring a mosquito net?

A: All of our accommodations are located within easy walking distance of the project site. Volunteers have the option to stay within the community in the Amor Guest House (with flushing toilets and solar panels) or in a hotel in the town of Tororo. Housing will be arranged on a case-by-case basis to ensure the comfort of each volunteer. Private rooms are available upon request.

Amenities include the following:

Access to clean, potable water at accommodations and the project site.

Hot running water at accommodations and several options in town for volunteers to do their laundry.

Internet at Amor Guest House. Please note that Internet service in Uganda can be unreliable. There are several Internet cafes in town with good rates and we can assist you with recommendations.

Volunteers who choose to stay at Amor Guest House will pay USD $24 per day per person. This includes accommodations, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a personal mosquito net.

Please note that volunteers who elect to stay in our accommodations are expected to honor the community’s values and act as role models for the girls served by our program. During the course of your stay with us, we respectfully ask that you refrain from drug use, alcohol use, and inviting casual romantic partners or members of the opposite sex into your room at night. Volunteers who are unwilling to cooperate with this expectation may be asked to seek accommodations elsewhere.

For volunteers who would prefer to arrange their own housing, we are happy to recommend hotels in nearby communities. Volunteers who arrange their own housing will be responsible for their own transportation.Back to top

3. Travel

Q: What will I need to get into the country?

A:You will need a valid passport. If you are coming from a country with risk of yellow fever, you may be asked to show proof of yellow fever vaccination. There are no currency restrictions for entry or exit.

Q: Where is the project site? How do I travel there from Kampala? Will you meet me at the airport?

A:The project has multiple sites located in the rural communities of the Tororo and Buteleja Districts in Eastern Uganda, with a coordination center in Amor Village, Kisoko Subcounty, Tororo District, 700 meters west of Kisoko High School, Nagongera Road (6km away from the town of Tororo).

Volunteers who fly into the country can choose to spend a day or more in Kampala or travel straight to Tororo. For reasons of convenience and safety we discourage traveling at night. An immediate journey to Tororo is recommended if you land at Entebbe Airport early in the morning.

We will pick you up from the airport if you would like us to do so. Due to the costs associated with travel, we ask that volunteers pay for this service. Travel charges are as follows:

From Entebbe airport to Kampala: USD $40

From Entebbe airport straight to Tororo: USD $152

From Kampala to Tororo: USD $112

If you plan to spend 100% of your time during your visit with us, we will help you find means of transportation throughout your stay. If you would prefer to spend a portion of your time with us and the remainder doing other things on your own, please let us know in advance so that we can organize our schedule.Back to top

4. Travels outside PCE Foundation

Q: Do you have recommendation of tour and travel companies who would facilitate my country tour plans.

We also recommend that you keep your embassy’s contact information handy.Back to top

6. Diet/Health

Q: I am vegetarian/gluten-free/allergic to certain foods. Can you accommodate me?

A:We can usually accommodate special diets or other health-related needs. If you have dietary restrictions or health conditions that may impact your time with us, please email us as soon as possible and we will ensure that we have special arrangements for you.

Q: Do I need to worry about water quality?

A: No. We ensure that all volunteers have access to clean, potable water during their stay.

Q: What vaccinations do I need?

A: The Centers for Disease Control recommend that most travelers to Uganda get vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever. Travelers are also strongly encouraged to take prescription malaria medication before, during, and after visits to rural areas. For the most up-to-date information, check the CDC’s recommendations at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/Uganda.Back to top

7. Personal Security/Safety

Q: What do I need to keep in mind with regard to safety when I travel to Uganda?

A: The vast majority of people who travel to our area of Uganda do not experience any threats to personal safety, and all of our volunteers have had safe experiences on our project sites. To minimize the risk that exists in any large city, we do recommend that volunteers spending time in the capital city of Kampala stay away from crowded places as much as possible (night clubs, taxi parks, Owino market) and avoid walking alone at night.

8. Volunteer Work & Programming

A: Every volunteer’s visit with us is a personalized experience, and talents of all shapes and sizes are valued. Contact us and we will work with you to create a specific work plan.

Q: I have some ideas about what I’d like to do while I’m volunteering on site. Will you take my preferences into account?

A:We welcome volunteers’ ideas and try to tailor the volunteer experience to your interests. If you have a work plan and time frame in mind, we ask that you to send it to us as soon as possible so that we can review it and discuss it with you prior to your arrival.

Q: I’d like to give you some feedback about my volunteer experience. Do you want to hear it?

A:Absolutely! We value your input. When possible, we conduct exit interviews with our volunteers to solicit their feedback.Back to top